Why this Blog?

Shortly after my 12 year old nephew was diagnosed with Diabetes 1, I started this blog for he and his mother. There is so much to learn and so much to know and so many unanswered questions. My hope is that it provides a place for knowledge and healing. To your health nephew!
Love Always-
Hannah

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

The Difference Between Diabetes 1 and Diabetes 2

So many people write and ask about the difference between Diabetes 1 and Diabetes 2 that I thought I would psot it here. A straight forward answer for you all :

Type 1 Diabetes
In type 1 diabetes the body’s immune system destroys the cells in the pancreas that form insulin. It appears most often in children and young adults. A person with type 1 diabetes must take insulin to live.

Type 2 Diabetes
The most common form of diabetes is type 2 diabetes. 90 to 95% of diabetics have type 2 diabetes. This form is associated with older age, obesity, physical inactivity, family history of diabetes, prior diabetes during pregnancy and ethnic background.
This form of diabetes begins when the body starts needing more insulin than it used to in order to move glucose into the cells. After several years, the body can't keep up; the production of insulin decreases and the blood glucose rises. Unlike type 1 diabetes, lifestyle changes and medicines can help treat type 2 diabetes.

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